Great British Pubs… The Corn Exchange (Bury St. Edmunds)

Exclusive Interview by Karen Beishuizen
Photos courtesy of Gill Evans

The Corn Exchange in Bury St. Edmunds has been a Wetherspoon pub in 2012. Before that it was a Corn Exchange which opened for business in 1862. The Clash played in the building in 1978 and causes so much damage that the local council banned Live events for 20 years. Abbot Ale is a favorite beer which you drink with Fish and Chips and your day is made! The pub entrance is incredible with huge columns and great architecture! Visit the pub and look for the handsome pub manager who is more than happy to help you!

KB: Since when does the pub building exist and when did it become a Wetherspoon pub?

This grade I listed monument was designed by Ellis & Woodward and built by Lot Jackaman at a cost of £7,000. It stands on the site of The Shambles (or market) which occupied three sides of the site. The Corn Exchange opened for business in July 1862. The floor in the hall was inserted in 1969, and there are now shops on the ground floor. We opened as a Wetherspoon pub in June 2012.

KB: What is a fun fact about the pub not many people know?

The Clash played in the building in 1978. The1978 gig at the Corn Exchange in Bury St Edmunds was a notorious event on their “On Parole” tour, marked by widespread “mayhem” such as property damage and spitting. The concert led to a nearly 20-year local council ban on Live music at public venues. In recent years a fan’s effort to get the gig recognized with a blue plaque was rejected by the local civic society due to the event’s chaotic and distasteful reputation.

The American army used to use the building a lot during the war to host dances. We get a lot of visitors to the pub because of its connection to the Apple programme “Masters of the Air”
We have also had a book written about the building by author John Orbell. We helped him with it in May 2017.

KB: What drink is a favorite and people must try?

Being in the heart of Greene King territory, Abbot Ale is a favorite tipple of the local people. Obviously it’s Tim Martin’s favorite beer!!

KB: What dish on the menu is a favorite and people must try?

Fish and Chips is always one of our biggest sellers.

KB: Which famous people have visited the pub over the years?

Probably the most famous person we have had in over the years is actress Sydney Sweeney.

KB: I step inside your pub. What do I see? Walk me through it.

The first thing you will see when you come to The Corn Exchange is the incredible entrance of the pub with huge columns and fantastic architecture. You will find plenty of artwork about the local area and also the beautiful corn tables and corn grinder.

When coming upstairs and opening the doors, you will see the glass dome roof and the steel arches that were built locally by The Robert Randsome company in Ipswich. The steel and concrete pillars that come from downstairs are on show in a wonderful glass case and lit up in red and white LED lights. You will see a grand bar with sweeping arches over the top of it.

When at the bar, if you turn around, you will then see a real roaring fire inside a beautiful purpose made brick fire place, with the sound of wood popping in the background adding to the relaxed and charming atmosphere. If you look really carefully you will find a very handsome pub manager who has been the manager of the pub since it opened in June 2012. His eyes filled with wisdom and stories of the experiences he had from working for Wetherspoon for 23 years.

KB: Why should people visit your pub?

The reason people should visit my pub, very simple, it’s the best Wetherspoon in the country. We have been voted the best looking Wetherspoon pub in quite a few national newspapers.

For more information, check out The Corn Exchange’s website: HERE

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